SLO babysitter guilty of sexually abusing girl begged court for leniency. Judge didn’t buy it
A San Luis Obispo man convicted of sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl he was babysitting begged a judge for leniency at his sentencing Friday, asking for probation rather than prison.
But the judge was not convinced and sentenced Tanner William Dean Fite to five years behind bars instead.
“I’m begging for one chance to prove I can fix whatever issues I have. I want to fix them and get better,” Fite told Judge Jesse Marino. “The verdict has me absolutely heartbroken, and I wish I could do anything in my power to fix it.”
“I do not want to die in prison. Please do not throw me to the wolves on my first offense,” Fite said.
Fite, 23, was convicted by a jury in July on four felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14. Each count is a strike offense under California’s three Strike law, the San Luis Obispo District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.
Before being sentenced on Friday, Fite asked Marino for probation in lieu of a state prison sentence.
Marino told Fite he did not find it appropriate for Fite to be punished with probation and encouraged Fite to take accountability for his actions. The judge said a primary factor in his sentencing was the well-being of the victim.
“I regret to say that nothing you’ve told me allays my fears with respect to the victim. Even today, you’re not apologizing necessarily for that conduct,” Marino told Fite. “I agree with the jury room. I do not believe your denials here. I believe you did this, and I hope you can find it within your heart, if that’s the right phrase, at some point to be honest about what happened here, first with yourself and then with the rest of the family.”
The District Attorney’s Office said in the release it was disappointed in the sentencing. Deputy District Attorney Kim Dittrich argued for the maximum — 14 years in prison — and probation recommended 12 years in prison.
“While we are disappointed with the light prison sentence, I am very proud of the young victim who displayed immense strength when she reported the crime and later testified in court,” San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow said in the release. “Her courage will inspire other survivors to report so that justice can be served to predators like Mr. Fite.”
Man sexually abused girl four times over course of a day
Dittrich said in court Friday that Fite was dating the victim’s sister at the time of the crime. He had touched her inappropriately four times over two incidents on Oct. 15, 2023, including touching her genitals with a vibrator.
All touches were over the clothes, the judge confirmed in court.
San Luis Obispo County Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth told The Tribune in July that Fite also viewed 25 pornographic videos while he was babysitting the girl.
“The victim has suffered greatly. Her family unit was destroyed because of his actions,” Dittrich said, adding that the victim has been able to begin healing because Fite has been incarcerated.
Cyber forensic data from Fite’s phone showed he viewed 25 pornographic videos that day, according to a District Attorney news release at the time of his conviction. After the eight-day trial, the release said, the jury “quickly returned their verdicts.”
Aggravating factors found true before the sentencing included the victim being particularly vulnerable, Fite taking advantage of a position of trust and Fite engaged in violent conduct indicating a serious danger to society. Mitigating factors included it being Fite’s first offense, and him being under the age of 25 at the time of the crime.
Ultimately, Marino sentenced Fite to five years in state prison, and told Fite he hopes he takes accountability for his actions as he receives treatment in prison.
Fite was also required to register as a sex offender, Marino said.
This story was originally published October 11, 2024 at 12:32 PM.
